to me 169$ was a big step up from what i have( tasco) and wanted to spend. this was the pair i wanted to keep in great shape and use only on special hunting trips.i usually go on a trip every other year for bear, deer, caribou ect.. hunting in the jungles of new jersey rarely afford more than a 50 yard shot so i see no need to carry extra weight and bring such fancy glass( 10x42) . to use them during archery would be a joke because because i hunt over some nasty thick trails. this was my binos for long range use. i do hunt the mountains of central pennsylvania and with the new antler point minimum i would have used them for that too. its no different than having a bird gun a deer gun skeet gun ect... one for different uses.if you check this model in the major catalogs it is listed as waterproof and fogproof. i purchased the old model but i know when i purchased them i read the new models description but they sent me the old version. i just didnt think that they should have gone bad that quick! they werent in a downpour or anything just a nast wet day. just shring my grief so others will learn. i have no doubt BURRIS makes some good stuff but its just how i was treated!